You Look FAABulous

LABR FAAB Report: Week of August 21

Each week, your friends at Mastersball will post the results of the weekly LABR FAAB run, featuring the winning bid as well a the runner-up bids. There are three LABR leagues, a 12-team AL only, 12-team NL only and 15-team Mixed Draft League. You can see the complete standings for each league by clicking on the appropriate heading, located just under each player photo.

Included with each league report will be commentary from a Mastersball staff member participating in that league. We invite you to ask questions and post comments at the bottom of the report.

All contingency bids for awarded players are included. Sometimes, this bid is tied to a player that the owner received, so at times the bid amount is larger than the winning bid. We are including it to provide as much information and context as possible with each report.

The season cruised past three-quarter mark, with a thinning of FAAB dollars among the AL LABR owners. That meant the $10 Eno Sarris spent on Andrew Heaney made him the high cost item for the week. Sarris also added outfielder Adam Engel ($2) and cornerman Giovanny Urshela ($2).

Juan Minaya pulled $4 from Mike Gianella, who also picked up utility Taylor Motter for two bucks and backstop Max Stassi for a dollar. Ray Flowers selected Ryan Tepera for a buck, also adding Juan Centeno for a dollar.

In fact, a buck was it for the remaining picks with a pair of D. Robinsons--Daniel to team Wolf/Colton, and Drew to team Ambrosius/Childs--while Steve Gardner landed Mychal Givens.

So, though late in the season, the scramble for at-bats and innings continues, just with a lower economic ceiling.

Todd's Take

Andrew Heaney's in an interesting spot Often, when a pitcher returns from Tommy John surgery in the latter part of the season, the objective is to shake off the rust while regaining confidence your arm won't snap while throwing a ball in anger. The hurler can then spend a normal off-season, preparing as usual as opposed to worrying if they'll be able to pitch normally. While some of this is likely the case, the Angels are within shouting distance of a wild card spot, so they're also looking for Heaney to provide their rotation a boost down the stretch. His first game back was interesting -- 5 K and no BB in 5 IP, but 4 HR allowed. The contest was in warm and muggy Camden Yards so the long balls are understandable. With his pedigree, and the comfort of Angels Stadium, Heaney isn't just AL-only fodder, he's viable as a streamer at home in Mixed formats.

Last Wednesday night, after Carlos Rodon was lifted following tossing 8 1/3 stellar frames against the Dodgers, I tweeted, "Finally, we get to see who'll be blowing saves for the White Sox." Turns out I was prescient, but it wasn't a hard call. Minaya did his job in the 8th inning before Gregory Infante, Aaron Bummer and Jake Petricka blew the lead in the 9th. Two days later, Minaya successfully converted a save opportunity thus looks like the closer for the two or three remaining saves the White Sox will get this season.

The story of my season is missed opportunity. I rostered Albert Almora all season long, but with middling results and dwindling at-bats, he ended up on the waiver wire two weeks ago to accommodate the return of Jarrett Parker. Since then, Almora’s playing time picked up and he outplayed his replacement. Steve Gardner of USA TODAY snatched up the Cubs youngster this waiver period for $6.

Pitcher Chris Stratton of the Giants joined the roster of Glenn Colton and Rick Wolf for $2. A week ago Sunday, the right-hander tossed 6 2/3 scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts at Washington, but did not pitch last week. In a two-start week just ahead, Stratton is scheduled to take on the Brewers Monday and Arizona on Saturday.

I stayed out of the action this waiver period, having to accommodate a pair of already-rostered first basemen at the opposite ends of their careers. Adrian Gonzalez is off the DL and back in the Dodgers lineup, with likely NL Rookie of the Year Cody Bellinger moving to left. My other addition is new Mets first baseman Dominic Smith, who I have stashed away since draft day. We will see if it was worth it.

Todd's Take

Brian alluded to it so let's talk about the revamped Mets lineup. Nimmo and Juan Lagares project to share center with Cespedes and Michael Conforto on the flanks. With Jose Reyes on the DL, Wilmer Flores is playing every day. Perhaps the most notable point is Travis d'Arnaud's hitting fifth, making him a great DFS catcher, especially with a southpaw on the hill.

When LABR front man Steve Gardner sent me the FAAB results, he noted we have some great races in the making. I'll be watching the Mixed LABR from afar as perennial contender Fred Zinkie from mlb.com nurses a slim three point lead over Jake Ciely, representing FNTSY Network/RotoExperts. Fangraph's Mike Podhorzer's within shouting distance of the leaders. That said, a lot can happen in six weeks, so everyone is still scratching for points.

Razzball's Rudy Gamble is counting on Luke Weaver to provide a second half push as the youngster fills the spot of veteran Adam Wainwright. Rudy also snagged Mike Napoli who's smacked 26 of the quietest homers of the season as he's struggled to stay north of the Mendoza line. We're at the point where category management is paramount, just keep in mind it's actually easier to gain/lose points in batting average than the counting stats, though it ultimately depends on where you're situated in the standings.

Todd's Take

It was a silent FAAB week for me as I had a couple of players returning from the DL to serve as reinforcements. One is Kevin Keirmaier, slotted right back at lead off for the Rays. Steals are hard to come by, Kiermaier could be a sneaky candidate to lend a hand -- or a leg, so to speak. Keeping with the theme of my season, I didn't need to clear a spot for Kiermaier with Brian Goodwin swapping places on the DL.

My other activation was Chase Anderson, who was enjoying a break out campaign before being sidelined. Back in April, I though Chris Devenski would be a luxury. I know longer need a ratio protector, so he was an easy release to free up space for Anderson. With Tyler Skaggs also returning recently, I have a couple more options to help extricate myself from the basement.